I compared famous Texas barbecue spots in Dallas and Austin. This is why Terry Black's in Dallas has the edge.

Erin McDowellApr 18, 2024, 22:15 IST

I compared Terry Black's in Dallas and Franklin Barbecue in Austin, two of the most famous BBQ spots in the country. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I tried popular menu items from Franklin Barbecue in Austin and Terry Black's in Dallas.
Franklin Barbecue impressed me with its juicy, tender brisket.

I tried two of the most famous barbecue joints in Texas and one came out on top.

On a recent trip to Dallas, I tried one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the city, Terry Black's Barbecue, to see how it compared to my last Texas barbecue experience in 2021.

The last time I visited Texas, I ate at the world-famous Franklin Barbecue, which opened in 2009 and has been an Austin staple for barbecue ever since.

In 2011, Bon Appétit called it the "best barbecue in the country," Eater reported, while Texas Monthly ranked Franklin Barbecue first on its list of "The Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas" twice, in 2013 and 2017.

Terry Black's has also received quite a few accolades. Run by fourth-generation pit masters, the spot has locations in Austin and Dallas and was voted the best barbecue in Dallas in 2023 by the Dallas Observer.

Here's how the two experiences compared, and which barbecue spot my mouth is still watering for.

On a recent trip to Dallas, I visited Terry Black's Barbecue for some classic Texas barbecue.

The exterior of Terry Black's Barbecue in Dallas.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I visited Austin in October 2021 and also had to try some famous barbecue while I was there.

The exterior of Franklin Barbecue.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I arrived at Terry Black's at 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, the restaurant was heaving.

Customers eating inside Terry Black's.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Due to the pandemic, the dining room wasn't open when I visited Franklin Barbecue in 2021.

Chairs outside Franklin Barbecue.Erin McDowell/Insider

My meal at Terry Black's was enough for one sitting, plus a little to take home for leftovers.

My meal at Terry Black's.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

My meal from Franklin Barbecue was a lot more expensive, but I got enough food to last me for days.

My meal at Franklin Barbecue.Erin McDowell/Insider

I was disappointed at first that I didn't get to try Terry Black's famous brisket, but the chopped beef blew me away.

Terry Black's chopped beef.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The brisket from Franklin Barbecue tasted as good as it looked.

Franklin Barbecue's brisket.Erin McDowell/Insider

I also tried the jalapeño-cheddar sausage at Terry Black's.

Terry Black's jalapeño-cheddar sausage.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I ordered the sausage from Franklin Barbecue, too. It was good, but it didn't impress me as much as the one from Terry Black's.

Franklin Barbecue's sausage.Erin McDowell/Insider

I also got to try the pulled pork at Franklin Barbecue, which was tasty on its own and part of a sandwich.

Pulled pork from Franklin Barbecue.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Terry Black's coleslaw was perfectly tangy and fresh.

Terry Black's coleslaw.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The coleslaw from Franklin Barbecue was very similar to the one from Terry Black's but didn't have kale in it.

Franklin Barbecue's coleslaw.Erin McDowell/Insider

I also tried a single serving of potato salad from Terry Black's.

Terry Black's potato salad.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The potato salad at Franklin Barbecue had a distinctly different flavor profile.

Franklin Barbecue's potato salad.Erin McDowell/Insider

I polished off the entire side of potato salad from Terry Black's.

Terry Black's potato salad.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I admittedly wasn't a huge fan of the potato salad from Franklin Barbecue.

Franklin Barbecue's potato salad.Erin McDowell/Insider

I also got a free side of pickles from Terry Black's, which had the perfect amount of crunch and tartness.

Terry Black's pickles.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also got a side of pickles and onions from Franklin Barbecue.

Franklin Barbecue's pickles and onions.Erin McDowell/Insider

I was also able to try two additional sides at Terry Black's, which ended up making it the winner in my book.

Mac and cheese and cream corn from Terry Black's.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Ultimately, I had to give the win to Terry Black's — and I'll be back to get my hands on that brisket.

A sign that reads "Brisket is King" inside Terry Black's.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

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